Air restriction sleeve for an electronic smoking device

ABSTRACT

An air restriction sleeve for an electronic smoking device made from a band of elastic material that wraps around a vaping device and has an aperture passing therethrough, wherein the aperture restricts the passage of air into an air intake on a cartridge that is receivable onto a body of the vaping device and wherein the band of elastic material stabilizes the connection between the cartridge and the elongated body of the vaping device while also sealing around the connection.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to e-cigarette and e-cigar vaping systems in general and to the JUUL™ e-cigarette vaping system in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different e-cigarette, e-cigar and other vaping systems currently exist on the market. A particularly popular one is the JUUL™ vaping system made by JUUL Labs and Pax Labs of San Francisco, Calif. In this system, a small cartridge or “pod” is inserted into an end of an elongated device body. The cartridge contains the oil or vaporizable material that produces the smoke or vapor for the user. Different cartridges can contain different flavors or vaporizable material. As cartridges are used up, they are removed and replaced with new ones. The cartridges are “snap-fit” into the end of the elongated body. The elongated body of the device contains the associated electronic circuitry and associated rechargeable battery to power the vaping system. The elongated body of the device gives a user a firm place to hold onto the device and has a shape and form similar to a cigarette (although the JUUL™ device has a generally rectangular cross section, as opposed to the well known circular system of a standard rolled tobacco cigarette).

Examples of the JUUL™ vaping system are found in Published U.S. Patent Applications 2018/0116291; 2018/0103686 and 2018/0092406, among others.

In the JUUL™ system, the cartridge is positioned at the same end of the device onto which the user places their mouth. (Not all vaping systems on the market use this arrangement). Unfortunately, the placement of the cartridge at the proximal end of the device presents certain challenges. In particular, and as noted by JUUL™ in their Published U.S. patent applications is that this arrangement may result in instability in the electrical contacts between the elongated body and the removable cartridge. JUUL™ notes in its Published patent applications that this problem is especially prevalent when the cartridges are greater than 1 cm in length.

Importantly, the locking mechanism between the cartridge and the elongated device body must be: (a) secure enough to hold the cartridge firmly in place when it is placed into the user's mouth, and yet (b) be easily releasable such that the cartridges can be easily removed when depleted and replaced. To accomplish this, the JUUL™ system uses locking gaps on the cartridge which mate with detents in the open proximal end of the elongated device body. As can be appreciated, these gapped spaces on the cartridge present the possibility of unwanted air flow. What is instead desired is that air flow only enters from the top intake hole on the cartridge and that air flow exits only through the mouthpiece end of the cartridge and into the user's mouth. Any air leakage around the connection location where the cartridge is attached onto the elongated body is not desired since such air leakage will change the vaporization properties of the system, and therefore will typically reduce the desirable flavorful “throat hit” effect that user's expect.

Another problem common to both the JUUL™ system and other systems is that the passage of air into the device can be too large when a user inhales or initially puffs on the device. Too large a puff of air received into the device can dilute the flavor of the product. Rather, it is desirable to provide additional air restriction on the intake to maximize the flavor or “throat-hit” of the product).

What is therefore desired is a simple and effective system that: (a) prevents any air leakage around the location where the cartridge mates with the elongated body (to thereby enhance the flavor and “throat-hit”); (b) restricts the amount of air intake into the vaping device (also to enhance the flavor and “throat-hit”); and finally (c) helps to stabilize the cartridge within the proximal end of the vaping device (to optimize the electrical connections between the cartridge and the body of the vaping device).

As will be shown herein, the present system meets the above objectives by providing a simple and fashionable accessory that is ideally suited for use with a JUUL™ vaping system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present system provides an air restriction sleeve for an electronic smoking device made from a flexible band of elastic material that wraps around a vaping device and has an aperture passing therethrough. (Alternatively, the sleeve can be made from a rigid material). The aperture restricts the passage of air into an air intake on a cartridge that is receivable onto a body of the vaping device and the sleeve stabilizes the connection between the cartridge and the elongated body of the vaping device while also sealing around the connection to prevent air leakage. The present system is ideally suited for use with the JUUL™ vaping system but can be used with other systems as well, all keeping within the scope of the presently claimed system.

In one preferred embodiment, the sleeve is made of a flexible band of elastic material made of rubber or silicone and the aperture is positioned mid-way between the open top and bottom ends of the flexible band of elastic material. In alternate embodiments, the sleeve is made from a rigid material. The aperture may optionally be round and have a diameter between 1/16^(th) of an inch to ¼ of an inch. In one preferred embodiment, the aperture diameter is 1/16^(th) of an inch.

The present system also provides a method for enhancing flavor in an electronic smoking device, comprising: (a) providing an electronic smoking device having: (i) an elongated body, and (ii) a cartridge attachable onto the body; (b) attaching the cartridge onto the body; and (c) placing a sleeve around a connection location where the cartridge is attached to the body of the vaping device such that the sleeve provides support to both the elongated body and the cartridge on both sides of the connection location, wherein the sleeve has an aperture passing therethrough and wherein the aperture is positioned adjacent to an air intake on the cartridge, and wherein the aperture restricts the passage of air into an air intake on the cartridge. In some preferred embodiments, the sleeve extends only over a small portion of the elongated body of the device. In other embodiments, the sleeve extends fully over the elongated body of the device.

The present system advantageously restricts the amount of air intake into the vaping device, thereby enhance the flavor and “throat-hit”. The present system also advantageously prevents any air leakage around the perimeter of the location where the cartridge mates with the elongated body (again to thereby enhance the flavor and “throat-hit”). Lastly, the present system also stabilizes the cartridge within the proximal end of the vaping device (to optimize the electrical connections between the cartridge and the body of the vaping device).

Preferably, the sleeve is placed around the vaping device by simply stretching the sleeve and inserting the vaping device into sleeve. Most preferably, the sleeve is placed around the vaping device such that the aperture in the sleeve is positioned over an air intake into the cartridge.

In optional embodiments, different sleeves are made having different aperture sizes such that the user can select between different sleeves (i.e.: between different degrees of air restriction) so that they can adjust to an optimal flavor or taste setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the present system.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present system.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the present system used together with an exemplary JUUL™ vaping system (shown in dotted lines).

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the present system used together with an exemplary JUUL™ vaping system (shown in dotted lines).

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the present system used together with an exemplary JUUL™ vaping system (shown in dotted lines).

FIG. 6A is an exploded front perspective view of the cartridge removed from an exemplary JUUL™ vaping system.

FIG. 6B is an assembled front perspective view of the cartridge removed from an exemplary JUUL™ vaping system.

FIG. 6C corresponds to FIG. 6B, but after the present sleeve has been installed.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of an elongated version of the sleeve used together with an exemplary JUUL™ vaping system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an air restriction sleeve 202 is provided. Air restriction sleeve 202 can be made of a band of elastic material such as (but not limited to) rubber or silicone, or made of a rigid material. As will be shown, air restriction sleeve 202 is dimensioned to be wrapped fully and continuously around a vaping device. Air restriction sleeve 202 has an open top end 220 and an open bottom end 222.

Air restriction sleeve 202 also has an aperture 201 passing therethrough. Aperture 201 is specifically dimensioned to restrict the passage of air into an air intake on a cartridge that is receivable onto a body of the vaping device. As can be seen, aperture 201 is preferably positioned mid-way between the open top end 220 and the open bottom end 222 of the band of elastic material 202. As can also be seen, the band of elastic material 202 may be generally rectangular in cross section. This rectangular shape is ideal when the present device is used with a rectangular-shaped JUUL™ vaping system. It is to be understood that different cross sectional shapes can be used with other vaping devices. For example, the band of elastic material 202 may be circular to fit around a cylindrical-shaped vaping device. In preferred embodiments, aperture 201 is round and has a diameter between 1/16th to ¼ of an inch. In one preferred embodiment, the diameter is 1/16^(th) of an inch. It is to be understood, however, that the present system also encompasses other shapes and sizes of aperture 201.

Referring next to FIGS. 3 to 5, preferred operation of the present system will be shown.

Air restriction sleeve 202 is positioned over the body of a vaping device 205 (shown in dotted lines). Vaping device 205 may be a JUUL™ vaping system comprised of an elongated device body 206 onto which a cartridge or pod 204 is received. The user holds onto elongated body 206 and places their mouth over cartridge 204 and then inhales. Examples of the JUUL™ vaping system can be seen in Published U.S. Patent Applications 2018/0116291; 2018/0103686 and 2018/0092406, among others, incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

Further details of the JUUL™ vaping system are seen in FIG. 6A. Specifically, cartridge 204 has an air intake hole 208. Next, as seen in FIG. 6B, when cartridge 204 is snap-fit into elongated body 206, air intake hole 208 remains unobstructed. Finally, as seen in FIG. 6C, sleeve 202 (shown in dotted lines) is placed over the proximal end of vaping device 205 (i.e.: the end on which the user places their mouth). Specifically, by placing air restriction sleeve 202 over the proximal end of vaping device 205, the user is aligning aperture 201 in the sleeve with air intake hole 208 in the cartridge. This has the effect of reducing the amount of air drawn into cartridge 204 when the user inhales, thereby increasing the “throat-hit” and flavor of the inhaled product.

As can be seen, the air restriction sleeve 202 is dimensioned to wrap fully and continuously around a connection location where the cartridge 204 and the elongated body 206 of the vaping device 205 meet. As a result, the air restriction band 202 provides support to the connection location where cartridge 204 and the body 206 of vaping device 205 meet. This advantageously prevents the passage of air and prevents any leaks at this connection location. Since air restriction sleeve 202 fully wraps around vaping device 205, it prevents air leakage on the top, bottom and sides of vaping device 205.

In a preferred method of operation, a method is provided for enhancing flavor in an electronic smoking device, by: (a) providing an electronic smoking device 205 having: an elongated body 206, and a cartridge 204 that is attachable onto body 206; (b) attaching cartridge 204 onto elongated body 206; and (c) placing an air restriction sleeve 202 around the connection location where cartridge 204 snaps onto (or into) the elongated body 206 of the vaping device. As a result, air restriction sleeve 202 provides support to both elongated body 206 and to cartridge 204 on both sides of the connection location.

Air restriction sleeve 202 is placed around the connection region by stretching the sleeve and then inserting vaping device 206 into flexible sleeve. Alternatively, when made of a rigid material, the sleeve can be slid into place. When using flexible material, the user releases flexible sleeve 202 such that it snaps back and seals around the connection location. During placement, the user aligns the aperture 201 in sleeve 202 with the air intake 208 in cartridge 204.

FIG. 7 illustrates an optional embodiment of the present system in which sleeve 202 covers the entire elongated body 206 of the JUUL™ vaping system.

In optional aspects of the preferred method, the user is provided with a plurality of air restriction sleeves, each having a differently sized aperture 201. By changing one sleeve for another, the user adjusts the amount of air intake into the cartridge which in turn adjusts the strength or “throat-hit” of the vapor. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An air restriction sleeve for an electronic smoking device, comprising: a band of material dimensioned to wrap fully and continuously around a vaping device, the band of material defining an open top end and an open bottom end; and an aperture passing through the band of elastic material, the aperture being dimensioned to restrict the passage of air into an air intake on a cartridge that is receivable onto a body of the vaping device.
 2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the aperture is positioned mid-way between the open top and bottom ends of the band of elastic material.
 3. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the band of elastic material is made of rubber or silicone.
 4. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the band of elastic material of is generally rectangular in cross section.
 5. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the aperture is round.
 6. The sleeve of claim 5, wherein the aperture has a diameter between 1/16^(th) and ¼ of an inch.
 7. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the vaping device is a JUUL™ vaping system.
 8. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the band of elastic material is dimensioned to wrap fully and continuously around a connection location where the cartridge and the body of the vaping device meet.
 9. The sleeve of claim 8, wherein the band of elastic material provides support to the connection location where the cartridge and the body of the vaping device meet.
 10. The sleeve of claim 8, wherein the band of elastic material seals the passage of air and prevents any leaks at the connection location where the cartridge and the body of the vaping device meet.
 11. A method for enhancing flavor in an electronic smoking device, comprising: providing an electronic smoking device having: an elongated body, and a cartridge attachable onto the body; attaching the cartridge onto the body; and placing a sleeve around a connection location where the cartridge is attached to the body of the vaping device such that the sleeve provides support to both the elongated body and the cartridge on both sides of the connection location, wherein the sleeve has an aperture passing therethrough and wherein the aperture is positioned adjacent to an air intake on the cartridge, and wherein the aperture restricts the passage of air into an air intake on the cartridge.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cartridge is attached to the body by being inserted into the body.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein placing the sleeve around the connection region comprises stretching the sleeve and inserting the vaping device into sleeve, and releasing the sleeve such that the sleeve seals around the connection location.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein placing the sleeve around the connection region comprises positioning the aperture in the sleeve over an air intake into the cartridge.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: replacing the sleeve with a second sleeve, the second sleeve having an aperture of different size from the first sleeve, thereby changing the amount of air intake into the cartridge. 